PhD Studentship: Human Health Starts with Food: Genomic Tracking of Pathogens and Microbial Interactions in Poultry

Primary supervisor – Dr Nicol Janecko

Food businesses work diligently to produce safe foods, and this task is made challenging by the diverse microbes that can find their way into food ingredients and food production settings. In this project, we are looking for an enthusiastic PhD candidate to join a dynamic, multi-disciplinary research team to work directly with one of the UK’s major food producers to understand how precision-based genomic explorations of microbial communities can help reduce food safety risks. 

This project will study the transmission of Campylobacter, a leading cause of foodborne illness, in the context of poultry production, as chicken is the most widely consumed protein in the UK. Even with significant efforts by industry to reduce Campylobacter in chicken products, this pathogen can adapt to adverse environments and persist in microbial communities such as biofilms. The aim of this studentship is to profile and evaluate Campylobacter persistence in food production environments and foods, a direct point of exposure to consumers; and identify and explore broader microbial community interactions that aid Campylobacter survival. 

This studentship is based within the Janecko and Gilmour research groups at the Quadram Institute Bioscience, an interdisciplinary food, microbial hazards and microbiome research institute (quadram.ac.uk). This translational project represents an exciting academic-industry collaboration with a leading UK food production company who have a keen interest in exploring novel ways of tackling food safety initiatives. The studentship includes an industrial placement to gain an industrial insight into pathogen reduction and food regulations ensuring safe food in the UK. The student will gain a versatile skillset to address industry challenges by integrating practical field and laboratory expertise with fundamental science in microbial genomics, microbiology, and bioinformatic methods to address food industry and public health challenges while being supported by a network of peers at the Norwich Research Park. For enquiries, contact nicol.janecko@quadram.ac.uk.

The Microbes, Microbiomes and Bioinformatics (MMB) Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) is open to UK and international candidates with relevant undergraduate degrees for entry in October 2025 and offers the opportunity to undertake a fully-funded 4-year PhD research project supported by the UKRI Medical Research Council in microbiology and microbial bioinformatics.

Our unique and comprehensive training programme empowers students to feel comfortable running sophisticated computer analyses alongside laboratory work and emphasises problem-based learning in microbial bioinformatics, professional development and research skills. All MMB DTP students undertake a Professional Placement.

Interviews for shortlisted candidates will take place on Tuesday 20 and Wednesday 21 May 2025.

The MMB DTP is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. Students are selected without regard to age, disability, gender identity, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, ethnicity, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation or social background. We value curiosity, independence of thought, plus an aptitude for research that combines laboratory work and bioinformatics.

For information on eligibility and how to apply: www.uea.ac.uk/phd/mmbdtp

Funding Details

Additional Funding Information

This project is awarded with a 4-year fully-funded studentship including direct payment of tuition fees to the University, stipend for living expenses (2025/26 rate: £20,780) and a Research Training Support Grant for each year of study. iCASE studentships include additional annual contributions to the maintenance stipend and research training costs.

Please complete your application via the ‘Apply’ button above.

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